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Fans Linger After Villanova Talk
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The turnout for Executive Director Susan Gibbs' April 6th talk on the origins, history, and future course of the SS
United States was quite remarkable considering that the men's basketball team -- fresh off their NCAA championship victory -- returned to campus that same day, attracting a heavy media presence.
Much credit is due to Professor Alexander Varias of Villanova's history department, who planned the talk. Professor Varias co-authored the book Tourist Third Cabin: Steamship Travel in the Interwar Years (Palgrave 2003), which offers an intimate look at that era through the lens of travel aboard luxury liners. The revised paperback edition of Tourist Third Cabin: Steamship Travel in the Interwar Years is forthcoming. Our sincere thanks to Professor Varias for hosting such a enjoyable event!
Executive Director Susan Gibbs and some friends of the ship.
After the talk, some serious enthusiasts lingered to continue the conversation. Those who stayed included A. Pierce Bonds, who donated a fantastic metal model of the ship, an extraordinary collection of photos taken while the ship was in Norfolk, VA, and a copy of the catalogue from the 1984 Guernsey's auction of millions of wares and fittings, and Jeanette Trigo Gonzales, who sailed on the ship to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
A. Pierce Bonds and the metal model of the SS United States
which he brought to donate to the Conservancy's collection.
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After randomly selecting two names from the pool of eligible donors, the Conservancy is happy to announce the two winners of a special tour of the SS United States: Lawrence "Larry" DeSpain, a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate who sailed for United States Lines (though never on the SS United States), and Barry Paden, whose father worked for Gibbs & Cox for over 25 years.
A recent view of the ship's promenade deck.
Because Lawrence lives out of state and will be unable to make travel arrangements, another lucky donor will be offered the opportunity to tour the ship.
Barry looks forward to this chance to tour the ship, and said, "My affiliation with the SS United States comes from my father, Walter L. Paden Jr, who was fortunate enough to work on the ship's record-breaking maiden voyage in 1952."
We are deeply grateful to Lawrence, Barry, and all of our supporters whose donations ensure that we will be able to continue our efforts to preserve the legacy of America's flagship. Thank you all so much for your ongoing support!
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We're saving the SS
United States and working to ensure
her legacy endures and inspires.
Please join us!
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From the Conservancy archives,
a photo of the SS United States
during her speed trials.
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$50,000 Challenge Grant Met in Full!
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Following the announcement of our donor incentive on Friday, April 1st, we received more than enough donations to meet the $50,000 challenge in full!
Over a 48-hour period, generous supporters from around the world contributed over $5,000, helping us not only meet but exceed our goal. From January 10th through April 4th, 375 donors made 425 gifts totaling $52,309.02 (looks like somebody gave their "two cents!").
Photo courtesy of Patrick Murphy.
We are elated by this demonstration of your continued support. These funds will be invaluable to our ongoing curatorial and preservation efforts. Thanks to you, our stalwart supporters, we will be able to continue our work to ensure the SS United States endures and inspires for generations to come.
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Sidelights Magazine Features the "Big U"
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Sidelights cover (photo courtesy of the New York City Municipal Archives)
shows the SS
America
in the foreground and the SS United States
as they passed on the Hudson River
against the backdrop of Midtown Manhattan.
CAMM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, defending, and promoting Master Mariners who command ships in the Merchant Marine, and to maintaining a viable American Merchant Marine in the future.
Sidelights enjoys wide distribution beyond CAMM's regular and associate membership, including their affiliate organization in London, the International Federation of Ship Masters Association (IFSMA), numerous U.S. flag vessels, all state and federal maritime academies, and many elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
The two-page article on the ship -- "The Big U May Sail Again" -- was written by editor-in-chief Captain Richard J. Klein, and personally shared with the Conservancy by Captain M.H.K. Aschemeyer. CAMM has been kind enough to make the April issue available to our supporters, you can access it here.
To Captains Klein, Aschemeyer, and everyone at CAMM, thanks so much for featuring the "Big U," we thoroughly appreciated your coverage of the ship!
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An Update on Our Supporter Survey
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Thanks to all who have filled out our supporter survey, the hundreds of responses we've seen so far have delighted us! Your feedback will help steer our member communications and curatorial planning initiatives. If you haven't yet filled out our survey, it will remain open until April 23rd, so there's still time for you to give your input. Click here
to share your views.
Once the survey has closed, and we've analyzed the responses we received, we'll be sure to share some highlights with you!
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Help spread awareness of America's Flagship.
Thanks to your support, we have over
16,600 "likes" on our Facebook page! Remember to follow us on all of our social media platforms and encourage your friends, colleagues, and family members to join you!
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SS United States Conservancy
P.O. Box 32115
Washington, DC 20007
(888) 488-7787
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